Copy the Curb Appeal: Austin, TX
HGTV Magazine took a spin through Austin and found eye-catching houses worth a closer look.
By:
Jaimie Dalessio Clayton
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Homeowners
Sarah and Jason Williams live in this 2,576 sq. ft. home built in 2013. “Since we built our home in one of Austin’s oldest neighborhoods, we didn’t want it to look brand-new. We love that most people think it’s always been here.” Idea to steal: Easy-care plants that thrive in the South, including raspberry autumn sage, white autumn sage, and pink dianthus, grow along the walkway.
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Lemon Tree and Stained-Glass Window
A potted lemon tree adds a fresh touch to the porch. It’s also lightweight and can easily be brought inside if temps turn chilly. The panel above the porch was rescued from a house that was being demolished. Surrounded by fish-scale-shingle siding, it instantly adds history to the home.
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Double-Front Doors
A pair of doors with big glass panes floods the house with light. Walnut MAI A76F-2 double doors with half glass design, from $2,320, doors4home.com; paint: Kingston Aqua by Pittsburgh Paint
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Paint Colors
Siding: Gypsum by Pittsburgh Paint; Front doors: Kingston Aqua by Pittsburgh Paint
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Brass Bell
Hanging a bell from the fence gate offers neighbors a fun way to say hello. Kids can’t resist ringing it. Handcrafted Nautical Decor 9"-tall hanging ship’s bell in brass, $60, atgstores.com
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Porch Lights
A pair of lanterns in a copper finish looks pretty with the door’s shiny brass hardware. Allen + Roth New Vineyard 23 1/4"-tall outdoor wall light in antique copper, $220, lowes.com
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Pillow and Rattan Sofa
A collection of patterned pillows gives this front-porch seating spot lots of personality. Chain 17" x 17" outdoor pillow in turquoise, $90, lampsplus.com; Arcturus Warm 1 18" x 18" outdoor pillow, $49, denydesigns.com; Echo Beach synthetic rattan 82"W x 30 1/2"D x 31 1/2"H sofa, $700, pier1.com
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Homeowners
Built in 1914, Josie and Mark Jesser bought in this 3,200 sq. ft. home in 2005. “Our painted red porch floor, combined with the dormer on the roof, makes our bungalow a charmer.” Ceramic and terra-cotta pots hold red begonias, ixora Maui, Chinese evergreen, and ‘Black Velvet’ petunias. The built-in planters in front of the porch are made from the same steel as the steps. They’re filled with Japanese plum yew and asparagus fern.
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Front Door
Even without paint, a front door can pop if the wood contrasts with the siding.
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Porch Lights
Modern frosted-glass sconces mimic the windows’ rectangular panes. PLC Lighting Dorato 1-light 9 3/4" x 4 1/4" outdoor wall sconce in bronze, $78, allmodern.com
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Paint Colors
Siding: Suitable Brown by Sherwin-Williams; Trim: Honeydew by Sherwin-Williams; Porch floor: Chinese Red by Sherwin-Williams
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Brick Path
The Jessers installed this classic red-brick walkway themselves. River Red Holland 4" x 8" concrete pavers, $0.50 each, homedepot.com
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Mailbox
A dark bronze mailbox fits the home’s earthy color scheme. Special Lite Products Company Contemporary vertical 9 1/4"W x 3"D x 16 1/2"H mailbox in bronze, $157, bellacor.com
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Rocking Chairs
A pair of painted wood rockers completes the porch’s homey look. Dixie Seating indoor/outdoor Georgetown slat rocking chair in white, $109, hayneedle.com
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Homeowners
Built in 1936, Lynne Hohlfeld and Michael Crockett bought this 2,500 sq. ft. home in 2009. “This house had been a college rental for 30 years! Needless to say, the landscaping and the paint needed some TLC.” Idea to steal: The new landscaping features drought-tolerant plants, including salvia, pink vinca, and philodendrons.
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Front Door
Turquoise looks modern, but this Craftsman style fits the traditional architecture. Masonite Belleville Fir-Textured 2-panel door, from $517, select Home Depot stores; paint: Majestic Blue by Benjamin Moore
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Chair
Outdoor furniture doesn’t have to match. White rockers plus a blue side chair fill up this porch. Verlaine powder-coated aluminum armchair in blue, $185, industrywest.com
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Paint Colors
Siding: Sparrow by Benjamin Moore; Trim and fence: Frostine by Benjamin Moore; Front door: Majestic Blue by Benjamin Moore; Corbels: Thicket by Benjamin Moore
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Granite Walkway
The decomposed granite gravel has a natural look and feels finer underfoot than regular gravel.
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Flowerpots
Lynne collects painted sap buckets as planters. For a similar look, use glazed pots in different colors. Ceramic planters, $118 for a mixed set of 6, origincrafts.com
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Picket Fence
The painted fence is charming surrounded by greenery. Composite Heartwood Gothic 67 1/2"W x 2"D x 39"H picket panels, $55 each, homedepot.com; paint: Frostine by Benjamin Moore
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Outdoor Art
Who says you can’t hang art outside? Try this pretty canvas. Promenade Aquarelle 30" x 40" outdoor wall art, $249, grandinroad.com
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Homeowners
Built in 2009, Kelsey and Scott Evans bought this 2,700 sq. ft. home in 2012. “The color of this house—teal with a hint of gray—was one of the first things that drew us to it. The stone walkway and cute square windows up top didn’t hurt either!” Idea to steal: Newly installed solar panels have drastically cut the Evanses’ electric bill. Last December they owed just 49 cents!
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Rocking Chairs
Evenings are often spent reading in the cheery red rockers. International Concepts Somer Hunter rocking chair in red, $127.50, wayfair.com
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Lantern
The Craftsman-style lanterns on either side of the door are in perfect sync with the home’s look. Jardin du Jour Sierra Craftsman 11"-tall outdoor wall light in rubbed bronze, $100, lampsplus.com
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Paint Colors
Siding: Spanish Bluebell by Ralph Lauren Paint; White trim: Picket Fence White by Ralph Lauren Paint; Brown trim: Rust by Ralph Lauren Paint
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Doormat
Multicolor stripes echo all the shades featured on the porch. Geo Crafts Creel Stripe 30" x 48" mat in red multi stripe, $70, hayneedle.com
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Mailbox
This wall-mount mailbox’s copper finish matches the brown window trim. Special Lite Products Company Contemporary 17"W x 5"D x 12 3/4"H mailbox in hand-rubbed bronze, $128, bellacor.com
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Flowers
The Evanses kept the landscaping easy to maintain. Blooms include white petunias in pots on the steps, and Knock Out roses and an abelia shrub in the flower beds. Plus, Kelsey keeps succulents in a terra-cotta bowl on the retaining wall posts.
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